Laparoscopic resection of the left pancreas: technique and indication

Laparoscopic pancreatic resections are rare procedures. A particular position is held by the left resection. In animal trials and 37 operations performed to date, this laparoscopic procedure has been positively assessed. The diseases operated upon were nearly exclusively benign. From November 1998 to July 2001, we performed 5 laparoscopic distal pancreatic resections at our hospital. The indications were: 2 adenocarcinomas; 1 neuroendocrine carcinoma; 1 high malignant T-cell lymphoma, and 1 cystadenoma. Additional procedures in 3 patients were: gastrectomy and resection of the left liver in the case with T-cell lymphoma; resection of a distant metastasis in the liver in the case with advanced pancreatic carcinoma, and a partial adrenalectomy in the case with cystadenoma. We did not note any intra- or postoperative complications in our patients. First of all, benefit is to be found in the early postoperative course. All oncosurgical criteria could be fulfilled.